David Rutherford Dow was a native of Crail, Fife. He was educated in Crail and at Waid Academy in Anstruther before proceeding to St Andrews University, graduating MB ChB with distinction in 1911. He obtained in DPH in 1912 and in 1924 his MD thesis on arteriosclerosis was awarded commendation. He was admitted FRCPE and FRSE in 1932. After graduating, he acted as house surgeon in Dundee Royal Infirmary before moving to Great Ormond Street Hospital London.
In 1913, he was appointed assistant lecturer in anatomy at United College, St Andrews and continued there until 1925 when he was appointed to the Cox Chair of Anatomy at University College Dundee. During the Second World War, he was also in charge of the anatomy department at United College at St Andrews. He was appointed Master of Queens College in 1954 and held this post while continuing with his teaching duties until 1958 when he retired. He was awarded the degree of LLD of St Andrews, honoris causa, in 1959. Professor Dow died in December 1979.
From the guide to the Professor David Rutherford Dow, Professor of Anatomy and Master of Queens College, Dundee, 1866-1970, (University of Dundee)
